Machine for the application of ceramic color



N 1 E. HARDESTY ,4 9

MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION OF CERAMIC COLOR Original Filed Aug. 50, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 k Nov 19, 1946. E. HARDESTY 2,411,269

I MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION OF CERAMIC COLOR Original Filed Aug. 30, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 b'ug'ezze Hardesty 7 Nov. 19, 1946. ARD ST 2,411,269

MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION-OF CERAMIC COLOR Original Filed Aug. 30 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 Elma/WM Bug G Q Patented Nov. 19, 1946 MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION OF- CERAMIC COLOR Eugene Hardesty, New Brighton, Pa., assignor to Fuller Label & Box Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application August 30, 1941, Serial No. 409,105. Divided and this application April 26, 1944, Serial No. 532,837

My invention relates to the decoration of ceramic ware and related products of the ceramic industry, including articles made of glass, china, I

pottery, enamelware and the like. The invention contemplates the use of novel means by which color ornamentation, or analogous surface alteration, may be applied directly to the ware or indirectly to it by application first to some transfer medium such as decal paper or equivalent sheet material, or to a screen of silk, copper wire or the like. Thi application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 409,105, filed August 30, 1941, now Patent No. 2,383,190.

Primary objects of the invention are to improve the quality of the decoration and to reduce the costs of the decorating operations.

In the best prior art methods known to me, it is customary to apply directly to the ware, or to an appropriate transfer sheet of any one of the types above indicated, a coating of some adhesive medium, such as decal varnish, dextrine gumming or the like, conforming exactly tothe area intended to be colored. A suitable ceramic color or oxide, including some appropriate frit, is then dusted over the sheet or ware and is retained thereby in the coated areas only. The capacity of the coating to retain the applied dust is limited, and the results obtained upon subsequent firing havebeen unsatisfactory by reason of paleness and/or unequal distribution of the color. Attempts have been made to overcome this dimculty by rubbing or wiping the dust into the adhesive coating, but the results have not been commercially successful because it has been impossible to cause a layer of adhesive coating of the required thinness to hold ceramic color dust in suflicient quantity or uniformity of distribution. It has also been attempted in the case of colors requiring an unusually heavy deposit to apply successive layers of adhesive coating, each with its own layer of embedded ceramic color, but this has caused blistering during the firing operation resulting from the bubbling of gases from the lower layers through the upper layers.

I have discovered that a single layer of conventional printed adhesive can be caused toretain an entirely adequate depth of ceramic color dust if the dust be worked down into the adhesive coat by comparatively rapid vibration of a brush or analogous applicator surface, and/or of the obiect or sheet itself.

Transfer sheets and ware bearing the unprecedentedly deep layer of ceramic color dust produced by practice of the present invention result in a finished product having remarkably deep 15 Claims. (Cl. 91-37) 2 color uniformly distributed and entirely devoid of blisters. I

Certain selected embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which depict forms of mechanism that have been found satisfactory in actual operation and which will sufficiently illustrate the broad principles of the invention.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine for applying ceramic color to transfer mediums of sheet form; r

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the machine;

Fig. 4 is a section along 4-4 of 2;

Fig. 5 is a section through 5-5 of'Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 i a section along 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation, partially broken away and in section, of the drum assembly;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a modification of the machine in inoperative position, and

Fig. 9 is a similar view, partially in section, illustrating the machine in operative position for applying ceramic color directly to the wars.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine there shown comprises a stationary framework consisting of a pair of annular support members I bolted by cap screws or the like 2 to a table bed 3 of convenient height. It will be understood that the annular members I are spaced longitudinally apart with centers on a common axis, so that they define a generally cylindrical space between them. Axially through this space is positioned a shaft 4 which is journaled near its opposite ends in bearings 5 mounted on supporting posts 6 which are rigidly secured in the table bed. A drum 1 is fast on the shaft 4 and is rotated thereby. Any suitable pulley, gear on the like, coupled to appropriate power (not shown), may be used to drive the shaft and rotate the drum.

It will be understood that the drum fits between the stationary frame members I and is of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of the frame members.

Secured to the frame members I in the upper zones thereof is ahopper trough 8 having a bottom opening spaced slightly above the periphery of the drum. A blade-like clamping member 9 extends lengthwise along the drum periphery and is urged downward into the plane of that periphery by some such means as coil spring I II encircling posts II at opposite ends of the drum and reacting between the drum shell and rollers I2 mounted on the inner ends of the posts. These rollers, of course, travel in a circular orbit as the drum rotates. A frame structure I3 is bolted to each of the supporting frames I and mounts an arcuate cam track I4 on which each of the rollers I2 rotates during part of its orbital travel. The cam tracks are made circumferentially adjustable with relation to the frames I by slotted engagement of the bolt I5 which secure them to the frame structure I8, and each cam track is appropriately profiled to lift the clamping blade 8 radially outwardly during part of each rotation of the drum.

The function of the blade 9 is to receive and clamp the leading edge of a sheet of ceramic color transfer medium onto the drum. This is easily accomplished by slipping such edg of the sheet under the blade when the blade is spaced from the drum periphery, i. e., at a point in the rotation of the drum reached just prior to the position shown in Fig. 2. Immediately thereafter, on rotation of the drum, the roller I2 becomes lowered to the dwell of the cam track I4 and clamps the sheet onto the drum.

The sheet has been previously printed or otherwise treated with suitable adhesive material. It passes under the hopper trough 8 and a liberal quantity of ceramic color is discharged onto it from the hopper. The sheet then passes successively under each of a plurality of brushes or pads I 6 which are of elongated form and extend along the drum periphery parallel to the drum axis. These brushes are mounted on stems I! received in arcuate supports I8 which encircle part of the drum periphery and are concentric with the drum. The opposite ends of the supports I8 are"cushion-mounted in upper and lower lengthwise frame members I9 which are secured at their opposite ends to the frame members I as by bolts .20.

One suitable form of cushion mounting has been illustrated and comprises an elongated bolt 45 extending through an oversized opening 46 in frame member I9 and thence through a fitted opening 41 in support I8. A dished-out spring washer 48 is seated between the head 48 of the bolt and the outer face of frame member I9. Between the inner face of frame member I9 and the outer face of support I8 are interposed two oppositely disposed spring washers 50 and 5| which,

' for illustrative purposes, are positioned with the convex surfaces contiguous to one another, the margins of the concave surfaces bearing, respectively, against the inner face of frame member I8 and the outer face of support I8. An additional spring washer 52 may be positioned between the inner face of support I8 and the nut 58, which is taken up on the bolt sufliciently to place the washer under some tension. Thus the supports I8 and the applicator pads r brushes supported thereby are free for limited vibratory movement in all directions with respect to the stationary frame members I9 on which they are thus cushion-mounted.

A tie member 2| spans the supports I8, conveniently at about the midpoint of each, and mounts a vibrator mechanism 22, here shown as of the electrically energized type, employing an unbalanced rotor. Coil springs 23 encircled about the stems I'I react between the supports I8 and the brush elements and resiliently press the brush surfaces toward the drum periphery, and these spring mounts, together with the cushioned connections between the ends of the supports I 8 and the lengthwise frame members I9, cause the 4 brush elements to vibrate radially, laterally and longitudinally with relation to the drum when the vibrator element 22 is driven. An elongated coil spring 24 may be connected under tension between some part of the vibrating assembly and some fixed part of the machine. In Fig. 1 such a spring is shown connected between the vibrator bed 2| and a longitudinal frame element I9, while in Fig. 7 such a spring 24' is shown connected between frame I near the lower lengthwise frame member I9 and a point 25 on the vibrating assembly near the corresponding upper lengthwise frame member I8.

In use, the vibrator 22 is driven to induce vibrations in the brushes at the rate of not less than 400 per minute, and preferably as high as 7600 per minute. As the sheet of transformedium moves progressively under the several brushes, with a comparatively thick coating of ceramic color deposited on it from the feed trough 8, the rapidly vibrating brushes function to embed a very considerable 'quantity of the ceramic color down in the coated areas of the sheet. some extent also from the coated, areas of the sheets and is collected from beneath the machine for re-use. The plurality of vibrating brushes operate to embed ceramic color into the coated areas to a depth heretofore believed to be impossible of attainment.

The center portion of the table is slotted lengthwise to pass the sheet after it has passed beneath the last brush and after the clamping element 9 becomes lifted from the drum periphery by engagement of the rollers I2 with the rise in the lower portion of the cam track I4. The sheet is deposited in the catcher 26 and is ready, after drying, to be applied in the usual manner to ceramic ware or the like.

While I have shown the vibrator 22 mounted to vibrate the entire cushionedframework and consequently all the brushes, smaller vibrators .may 'be arranged directly on one or more of the individual brushes so as to vibrate such brushes only. In that case the other brushes may be fixed with relation to the stationary frame members I,

so as to transmit more or less vibration.

In Fig. 8 the mechanism is designed to apply ceramic color directly to the ware, here shown as a plate or flat dish. As shown in Fig. 8,-this device may comprise a stationary frame consisting of four vertical posts 30 upstanding at the corners of an imaginary rectangle from a bed 3| and connected by spaced superposed plates 82 having aligned openings loosely receiving the two or more bars 34 of a movable frame. This movable frame terminates at its bottom in a brush backing 35, mounting a brush 36, and terminates upwardly in a horizontal plate 81 on which is 0 securely mounted a vibrator element 38, here shown as of the electrically energized type.

Upwardly and downwardly projecting pins 89 extend from the lower and upper rigid frame plates 32 respectively and coil springs 40 encircle these pins and react between the plates 32 and a floating equalizer plate 4| fixedly secured to rods 34. A bailor handle 42 is secured to the vibrator bed plate 31, by which the vibrating frame may be elevated as a unit from the ware 43 which in use of the device is positioned on the stationary bed 3I directly below the brush 88. Gravity latches 44 swing from the vibrator bed 31 to the upper stationary plate 32 and hold upper springs 40 compressed and the brush in.

elevated position whenever the handle 42 is man- Color falls from the uncoated, and to ually pulled to its upper limit, which is done whenever ware 43 is to be inserted beneath the brush or withdrawn therefrom.

As has been made apparent from the foregoing description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the floating or spring suspension of the vibrator and applicator surfaces with reference to the surface on which the color has been deposited obtains relative vibratory movement in all directions between the two surfaces.

The cushion mountings by which the arcuate pad supporting members l8 of Figs. 1 and 2, and

' the vibrator itself, are connected to rigid frame e brushes themselves are urged constantly toward the deposited color by coil springs 23.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein pad supporting bars 34 are loosely received through openings on spaced main frame plates 32, the play of bars 34 obtained thereby permits movement of the applicator or brush 36 in any direction with reference to the main frame and the ware supported thereby on which the color has been deposited. When in use the brush 36 is floatingly suspended in contact with the deposited colorby means of equalizer springs 4!] bearing in opposite directions on equalizer plate 4|. These springs provide a reactionary force against the forces of the vibrator imparting movement to the applicator and, together with the play of rods 34 in their bearings, serve to vibrate the applicator in all directions with reference to the fixedly positioned ware 43.

In the use of this device the ware is directly printed or otherwise coated with the bonding medium and a liberal quantity of ceramic color is dusted thereon. The ware is inserted in the device, latches 44 are swimg outwardly and the vibrator is set in motion. The brush vibrates vertically and horizontally at a rate of not less than 400 vibrations per minute and preferably as high as 7600, and thus embeds the color material deeply down into the coating on the ware. The ware is then removed .from the device, the unattached color is dusted off of it, and the ware is fired in the usual manner.

It will be understood that vibrating elements other than the electric devices herein disclosed by way of exemplification may be used. It is also to be understood that the work to be ornamented may be of any customary shape and character of surface, and that the bonding medium, ceramic color and other materials used in practicing the invention may be any which are well known in the art.

In all mechanical embodiments of the invention, and in the practice of the method, it is immaterial whether the ware or sheet to which the color is to be applied be vibrated or be restrained against vibration, it being necessary only that the ware or sheet and the applicator, e. g., the several types of brush disclosed in the illustrative embodiments, be relatively vibrated. Accordingly I contemplate variations of the illustrated mechanisms in which the work will be vibrated and the applicators will be restrained against vibration.

What I claim is:

1. A device for applying ceramic color to a sur- I 5 face prepared with an adhesive coating comprising a support for an object having such prepared surface, an applicator adapted to be engaged with ceramic color applied to said coating, means for bringing said applicator and applied ceramic color in contact, and means for effecting relative vibration in all directions between the applicator and the surface.

2. A device for applying ceramic color to a surface prepared with an adhesive coating comprising a support for an object having such prepared surface, an applicator adapted to be engaged with ceramic color applied to said coating, means for bringing said applicator and applied ceramic color in contact, means for restraining the support against vibration, and means for vibrating the applicator in all directions.

3. A device for applying ceramic color to a surface prepared with an adhesive coating comprising a support for an object having such prepared surface, means for depositing ceramic color on such surface, an applicator adapted to be engaged with said deposited ceramic color, and means for relatively vibrating the applicator and the surface in all directions.

4. A device for applying ceramic color to a surface prepared with an adhesive coating comprising a support for an object having such prepared surface, means for depositing ceramic color on such surface, an applicator floatingly supported and adapted to be eng ed with said deposited ceramic color, means for restraining the support against vibration, and means for vibrating the applicator.

5. A machine for applying ceramic color to a prepared sheet comprising a stationary frame, a drum mounted for rotation therein, means for mounting a sheet on the periphery of the drum, applicator means adjacent said periphery cushion-mounted to permit movement in all di- 45 rections, and means for vibrating the applicator means in contact with ceramic color carried on the sheet.

6. A machine for applying ceramic color to a I prepared sheet comprising a stationary frame, a 50 drum mounted for rotation therein, means for mounting a sheet on the periphery of the drum, applicator means floatingly mounted for universal movement adjacent said periphery, a trough for feeding ceramic color to the sheet fixed in 55 the frame anterior to said applicator means, and means for vibrating the applicator means in contact with ceramic color carried on'the sheet. 7. A machine for applying ceramic color to a prepared sheet comprising a stationary frame, a to drum mounted for rotation therein, clamping means carried by the drum periphery for mounting a sheet thereon, applicator means cushion-' mounted for movement in all directions adjacent said periphery, and means for vibrating the applicator means in contact with ceramic color carried on the sheet.

8. A machine for applying ceramic color to a prepared sheet comprising a stationary frame, a drum mounted for rotation therein, clamping means for mounting a sheet on the periphery of the drum, applicator means adjacent said periphery mounted for floating movement in all directions with reference to said periphery, means for vibrating the applicator means in contact with ceramic color carried on the sheet, and means for automatically releasing said clamping means after the same has traversed the applicator means.

9. A machine for applying ceramic color to a prepared sheet comprising a stationary frame, a drum mounted for rotation therein, means for mounting a sheet on the'periphery of the drum, a vibratory frame fioatlngly mounted on the stationary frame to permit vibratory movement in all directions with reference thereto, applicator means carried by the vibratory frame, and means for vibrating the vibratory frame with the applicator means in contact with ceramic color carried on the sheet. v

10. A machine for applying ceramic color to ceramic ware comprising a stationary support for the ware, a fixed frame mounted thereon, 9. vibratory carriage mounted in the fixed frame for universal movement relatively thereto, means carried by the carriage for engaging a ceramic color applicator with the ware, resilient means yieldably urging the applicator in contact with the ware, and means for vibrating the carriage.

11. A machine for applying ceramic color to ceramic ware comprising a stationary support for the ware including fixed plates in superposed spaced relation, a vibratory carriage mounted in the fixed frame and including a post loosely passing through aligned openings in said plates, a ceramic color applicator engageable with the ware, means carried by the carriage for engaging said applicator with the ware, resilient means yieldably urging the applicator into contact with the ware, and means for vibrating the carriage.

12. A machine for apply n ceramic color to ceramic ware comprising a stationary support for the ware including a flxed frame having plates in superposed spaced relation, a vibratory carriage mounted in the fixed frame and including a post loosely passing through aligned openings in said plates, a ceramic color applicator engageable with the ware, means carried by theme:- riage for engaging said applicatorwith the ware, resilient means yieldably urging the applicator into contact with the ware, means for vibrating the carriage, and latches mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage the fixed frame to space the applicator above the ware.

13. A machine for applying ceramic color to ceramic ware comprising a stationary support for the ware, a fixed frame mounted thereon including spaced, vertically superposed. fixed plates having aligned openings, a vibratory carriage mounted in the fixed frame and including posts passing through said openings, 9, ceramic color applicator engageable with the ware, an equalizer plate fixed to said posts between the plates of the fixed frame,spring means compressed between the opposite surfaces of the equalizer plate and the plates. of the fixed frame, means carried by the carriage for engaging said applicator with the ware, and means for vibrating the carriage.

14. Apparatus for embedding ceramic color deposited on. a surface prepared with an adhesive coating comprising an applicator, means for bringing said applicator and deposited color into contact, and means for effecting relative vibration between the applicator and the surface bearing said color deposit at not less than substantially 400 vibrations per minut in all directions.

15. Apparatus for applying ceramic color to a surface prepared'with an adhesive coating comprising means for depositing ceramic color on such surface and means for embeddingthe color in the coating, said embedding means including an applicator, means for bringing said applicator and deposited color into contact, and means for effecting relative vibration between the applicator and the surface bearing said color deposit at not less than substantially '400 vibrations per minute in all directions.

EUGENE HARDESTY. 

